Today, I allowed the "Art of Performance" (Jaguar) to introduce itself to the "Art of Entertainment" (Pioneer) Stage 1 is nearing completion.

 

Very Nice Box! Looks like it grew there :0)

 

Thanks Christian, I do have to give thanks to the folks across the pond over at CanM8, who was able to provide me with a CAN bus interface to give speedo, illumination, reverse and parking brake inputs for the navigation unit. Two simple wire connections at the rear of the diagnostic connector to the CAN bus, and I was in business. The Pioneer AVIC-8200NEX has so many different options so many of us seek in our vehicles these days, like CarPlay, AndroidAUTO, iGo navigation, Bluetooth, HDMI, HD Radio, SiriusXM, Siri integration, front and rear sources, rear camera, front camera... the list goes on... However, I can say to those who fear that a full size Pioneer double din has problems fitting inside the bay of an X350, this is proof positive that they do.

 

Nice setup. I would love to do the same to mine. How difficult was this project? You mentioned a CANBUS adapter or something like that. Is that something the people who provided you with the solution be willing to replicate?

 

Preparations is the most important. If you prep it right, you don't have to hack anything, and I only had to drill 2 holes, and that was in the brackets for radio mounting. Maybe this weekend I'll do a write-up on the installation. This is actually going to take me about 3 separate stages to complete. Stage one was to start with the head unit and complete the controls and the dash, second stage will be trunk work for the amplifier, and stage 3 will be the speakers and final touch-up. I have already prepped the amp, and speakers are ready.

Concerning installing a new double din unit, it can depend on what unit you choose, and navigation units require some extra steps, however, the first thing you have to confront is the fascia. I used the Metra 99-9501B for S/X models, and prepped and painted. That takes a couple weeks if not more, and take your time with that one. Axxess has steering wheel controls, and CanM8 can provide what you need for doing the other inputs correctly. You can order through their site, and will take some time to get, since it has to go through customs, but works excellent;

CANM8 CANNECT NAV

 

Thanks for the reply. I will stand by for your writeup.

 

Hmm, can they make one that reads ac controls, daylight sensors,gas low warning etc?

 

That would be the arena of iDatalink Maestro RR. The AVIC-8200NEX does have an iDatalink Maestro interface, but the XJ8 doesn't support it. Newer Jaguar models do have it.

iDatalink - Maestro - Home

 

My 3rd attempt at adding an adjustable thermostatic control unit for my two 6" IC fans on the additional IC radiator was successful.

The thermostat probe that came with the fan kit was too long to fit well in the main radiator and was a fixed activation temperature device.

The second one I tried that was adjustable with a sensor, placed inside a hose, kept blowing fuses even without the fans connected.

This 3rd unit has a much shorter and fatter sensor that fits nicely in the main radiator fins.

So now I have the fans activated when the main radiator temperature goes a bit higher than running at idle and long before the main fan switches on.

The intercooler radiator just does not reach as high a temperature as the main radiator even after a spirited run.

 

What did I do today you ask???? Ha! I sprayed my car with Ortho bug spray!!!

I let it sit for a couple weeks, under the car cover I bought for it, not driving it. Due to the number of cars we have now, the Jag has to sit outside (hence the car cover)

So as I unveil the Gold beauty, I see ants crawling on it, so I don't think much of it. But once I opened the door, all I could say was "WTH!?!?!?"!!! Ants galore 😨

They're dead now, but jeeeezzz that was horrible!!! Haha

 

You can always wash the parking spot down with Borax. A natural insect repellant and main ingredient in ol' Borax soap. Ants, spiders as well as a myriad of other insects hate it.

 

Broke in my "new" 2008 XJ on a 250 mile road trip to the Jersey Shore!

 

Changed engine oil and transmission oil, and connector seal and seals between valve block and body.
I was warned that they can crack and fail.
Mine seemed good and still flexible after 170k miles

I hate knocking over the oil bottle while pumping in oil underneath a running engine.

 

Been there done that! Good job I laid down a tarp when doing this.

Also I did a complete flush and was totally surprised at the force of the fluid expelled in about 1-2 seconds. It went everywhere.

 

Extracted the rear needle bearings from my "professionally rebuilt" super charger.

Easier than I thought it would be.

Now waiting on the delivery of a press to put the new ones in.

 

Completed ELM 327 integration for my AppRadio with DashCommand! Yahoo! This is so stinking cool. Finally my XJ8 has made it into the 21st century. Now on to mechanical repairs I have been postponing like trans lines and new wheel bearings. I can hear the road trip calling my name.....

 

I hooked my car to a battery tender today.
Sleep tight, Garage Queen.

 

Pressed in my new rear SC needle bearings.

The press arrived and I assembled it. I had not planned on doing the job yet but when I looked at the assembled H press I just had to use my new toy. Quite a bit of prep to do the job.

 

Baby got new shoes!

New Pirellis all around - and new drilled/slotted rotors and redstuff ceramic pads.

 

Took a nice long drive; missed 98000, but photo'd 98098 as next best thing...

Thanks
-mag